February 18, 2011

Here's a little video I took this morning, which fairly represents the scene in the rotunda (the center of the demonstration):

For all the size and noise and sincere fervor, I've seen absolutely no anger, nastiness, or rudeness. Not even any pushing to get into a better position. Everyone is quite nice, really. You need to understand that. Even when my dear bodyguard is not close to me, I don't feel at all endangered. And though I've photographed some signs and other junk piled on the ground, there isn't stuff strewn all over, and there is zero vandalism or destructiveness toward the capitol building itself. Despite all the opposition to the legislature, the entrance to the Senate chamber was barricaded with nothing more than a velvet rope overseen by 2 elegantly dressed guards...

... and no one made the slightest attempt to impinge on the roped-off area.

In a democratic Republic a peaceful revolution happens once every two years, and Scott won the latest peaceful revolution. So these festival goers are merrily pretending that they can have a counter-revolution by peacefully "slowing things down" until the next scheduled revolution at the polls. Wrong tactics guys.

It was a miner's union member who killed Frank Steunenberg--blew him to smithereens by rigging his front gate with explosives. Idaho history for you. Curious why that scene didn't make it onto the state quarter design.

I just heard the press conference with the governor, who pointed out that the state is broke--a $3.6 billion deficit. He also pointed out that private business employees pay 2 or 3 times what he's asking the state employees to pay toward their health insurance.

What I really despise is the stunt played by the 14 Senators. I think they ought to declare their seats vacant, and go ahead with the vote. Obama calls Walker's action "union busting;" these guys are government busting. And teachers who don't show up for work so they can go protest, ought to be suspended. I'm not sure the students wouldn't be fine being taught at home anyway.

Walker: They get paid to come to work and they should be at work.

Next on the ballot: a Constitutional amendment outlawing this ducking out tactic.

Christie, now Walker, This assertiveness by governors is great entertainment.

I've known Mr. Walker since he was my state rep in the late 1990s and through the time he was my county executive. His overarching theme is that he says what he is going to do, does what he did say, and doesn't back down from a political fight.

In tactical terms, he knows exactly what battle to fight, how to implement his strengths, limit his weaknesses, as well as how to shape the political terrain.

Leftards on display. What a pathetic sight. Wisconsinites should be ashamed for themselves that it's gotten to this point and that these are the fuckers along with their Democrat co-conspirators that have brought them along for the ride. California is going to have the same issues soon.

My daughter and five year old grand daughter were there, while I was at work. The claims of mob rule that was reported by our local right wing radio seems to be a great exaggeration, thanks Althouse for this more objective report.

On Saturday I walked thru the capital building. I saw: sleeping bags and pillows piled up in random corners. Information signs, union signs, protest signs taped and duct taped on every visible wall. Open boxes of bakery/donuts, with 1/2 eaten food in them, laying around on the floor. A huge pile of "Lost And Found" items piled into one corner. Random bottles of water and trash lining the walls. didn't look clean to me.